Commander of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brigadier General Pamela McGaha, participated this week in the Budapest Balkan Forum 2024, the leading conference of the Hungarian Institute for International Affairs, which gathered over 100 experts, decision-makers and policymakers from around the world.

Participating in the panel discussion titled “Maintaining Security: International Actors and Field Missions,” McGaha congratulated Hungary on the 25th anniversary of NATO membership.

”It is great to be in Budapest and to congratulate our ally Hungary on the 25th anniversary of its membership in NATO, demonstrating what Euro-Atlantic integration can achieve,” said Brigadier General McGaha, the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo said.

She recalled that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo.

”This year also marks the 20th anniversary of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo. It is my pleasure to explain how our mission has changed over time and how BiH has become active in contributing to peace and security in the region,” she noted.

McGaha agreed with the assessments of EUFOR Commander Major General László Sticz and KFOR Deputy Commander Brigadier General Federico Bernacca that the security situation in the entire region is still stable.

At the same time, she noted that reserve forces were activated in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina with reinforcements sent to BiH as a direct response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

”Our leaders were clear that the creation of a security vacuum in Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be allowed,” Brigadier General McGaha concluded.